15 tips: as sessions begin, reviewing this sage advice will help you be the best you can be.

PositionTOOLS OF THE TRADE
  1. Honor the institution

    Thomas Jefferson did it. So did James Madison, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. They worked tirelessly to make representative government work--one of democracy's worthiest pursuits. Preserve and protect your legislative institution so it remains a strong, co-equal branch of government. Tearing it down diminishes your ability to solve problems. To work well, government requires a bond of trust between citizens and their representatives. Tell them what you stand for and what you intend to do during your time in office, then work as hard as you can to fulfill those promises.

  2. Take the high road

    Understanding legislative etiquette and ethical responsibilities is vital, not only to the institution and your constituents, but to yourself. Recognize the effect your behavior can have on the institution, and be prepared for the close scrutiny that comes with being a legislator. Avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Would you be embarrassed to see your actions reported in the newspaper? If it won't "read good" tomorrow, don't do it today--even if it's perfectly legal, it might not be proper.

  3. Master the rules.

    You need to learn the rules of the game to be a serious player. Get to know experienced parliamentary experts (legislators and staff) and seek their advice routinely. Read the rules. Study them. But don't ever fool yourself by presuming you have conquered the rules--there's always someone in your chamber who can challenge you.

  4. Know where to get help.

    Get acquainted with staff, not only legislative staff but key people in the executive branch agencies as well. Look for expertise from both sides of the aisle. Turn to them for advice and counsel. Lobbyists can serve as resources, but be sure to obtain information from all sides of an issue. Surround yourself with the most intelligent, dedicated staff you can find. To help you prepare for committee meetings, spend time with staff reviewing the bills on the agenda. Listen to them, and trust them.

  5. Manage your time.

    Organize, prioritize, commit to those things you consider important. An effective legislator is punctual. Get to the floor on time, get to your appointments on time, get to your committee meetings on time. Meet deadlines. If you miss a bill filing, it could be a whole year before you can try again. If you're late in filing campaign contributions--or don't file at all--you might read about it in the paper or see it used against you in the next...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT